Cincinnati vs Vancouver Whitecaps

TQL Stadium plays host to a second-ever Major League Soccer encounter between Cincinnati and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Cincinnati wasted a narrow 1-0 lead in a 1-1 home draw with New York Red Bulls last time out, making it three MLS stalemates in a row. A five-game unbeaten league streak threatens to give the home supporters a false sense of security, as four of those five games ended level (W1). In fact, Pat Noonan’s men have picked up just one victory from their last seven league outings (D4, L2). Coming into this matchday, the ‘Orange and Blue’ hold a slender one-point lead over seventh-placed Columbus Crew, meaning their hopes of qualifying for the MLS Cup playoffs are still in the balance. On a more positive note, Cincinnati have only lost one of their last five home league fixtures (W2, D2).

As for Vancouver Whitecaps, a thumping 3-1 home defeat to Minnesota United last time out brought the visitors’ three-game unbeaten MLS run to a halt (W2, D1), putting a dent into their hopes of reaching the Western Conference playoff zone. With sixth-placed Nashville three points away, the ‘Village’ will be desperate to defy their humiliating away league record this term (W2, L7). Yet, they can draw confidence from the fact both those road triumphs have arrived on their last three top-flight travels (L1), with each seeing them keep a clean sheet. Moreover, Vancouver finished on the right end of a 2-1 scoreline in their only previous MLS meeting with Cincinnati.